Coimbatore, Nov. 29
In a first, the PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research (PSGIMSR) has become the first teaching medical hospital to have carried out a successful double lung transplant in India.
While, double lung transplant had earlier been done in non-teaching medical centres in Chennai, the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Centre in PSGIMSR becomes the only teaching institute to have achieved it, according to the hospital doctors.
Briefing the media at the hospital here today, Dr. R.M.P.L. Ramanathan, Medical Director of Lung Transplantation, said the surgery was done to a 30-year-old man - Ravi Tursiani from Mumbai.
“He was referred to the centre after having suffered Pulmonary Fibrosis (Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease) for seven years. The disease, which is incurable, was severe and had damaged both his lungs severely,” Dr. Ramanathan said. He further added that lung transplant was the only option available for the team and the surgery was done after harvesting a pair of lungs from a brain dead patient from PSGIMSR.
“The lungs seemed a perfect fit as the deceased had a near equal stature of Mr. Tursiani. We also gave him necessary rehabilitation before going into the surgery and successfully carried out the surgery in close to 12 hours in the middle of October,” the doctor added.
Dr. Jnanesh Thacker, Surgical Director of Heart and Lung Transplantation, said that Mr Tursiani, would not have survived if the transplant was delayed any further.
“He was unable to move from his chair when he came in for treatment. For a transplant he needed to be a little healthier and the rehab we gave him proved very useful in helping him withstand the surgery,” he added.
Post surgery, Mr Tursiani, who was on ventilator and oxygen support for almost seven years, is able breathe without complications. He is also able to walk around his room and would be under observation for three months.
Mr. Tursiani, later interacted with media through video conferencing.
“There are chances that he might get some infection,” the doctors added. The doctors further added that lung transplant could be very helpful for many patients in India. However, lack of proper awareness and expertise has been the deterrent.
In a first, the PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research (PSGIMSR) has become the first teaching medical hospital to have carried out a successful double lung transplant in India.
While, double lung transplant had earlier been done in non-teaching medical centres in Chennai, the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Centre in PSGIMSR becomes the only teaching institute to have achieved it, according to the hospital doctors.
Briefing the media at the hospital here today, Dr. R.M.P.L. Ramanathan, Medical Director of Lung Transplantation, said the surgery was done to a 30-year-old man - Ravi Tursiani from Mumbai.
“He was referred to the centre after having suffered Pulmonary Fibrosis (Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease) for seven years. The disease, which is incurable, was severe and had damaged both his lungs severely,” Dr. Ramanathan said. He further added that lung transplant was the only option available for the team and the surgery was done after harvesting a pair of lungs from a brain dead patient from PSGIMSR.
“The lungs seemed a perfect fit as the deceased had a near equal stature of Mr. Tursiani. We also gave him necessary rehabilitation before going into the surgery and successfully carried out the surgery in close to 12 hours in the middle of October,” the doctor added.
Dr. Jnanesh Thacker, Surgical Director of Heart and Lung Transplantation, said that Mr Tursiani, would not have survived if the transplant was delayed any further.
“He was unable to move from his chair when he came in for treatment. For a transplant he needed to be a little healthier and the rehab we gave him proved very useful in helping him withstand the surgery,” he added.
Post surgery, Mr Tursiani, who was on ventilator and oxygen support for almost seven years, is able breathe without complications. He is also able to walk around his room and would be under observation for three months.
Mr. Tursiani, later interacted with media through video conferencing.
“There are chances that he might get some infection,” the doctors added. The doctors further added that lung transplant could be very helpful for many patients in India. However, lack of proper awareness and expertise has been the deterrent.